Support for filiform elements containing an active material

Abstract

A support for filiform elements containing an active material in form of powders is described, comprising anchoring means of the support and blocking means for the filiform element, a method for manufacturing said support and lamps wherein said supports are employed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A support for at least one filiform element containing an active material in form of powders, the support comprising
 blocking means of each filiform element on said support; and 
 anchoring means for said support, said anchoring means being connected with said blocking means and being adapted to anchor the support to a structural element, 
 
       wherein said blocking means exert a compression on the filiform element between 25 and 90 MPa. 
     
     
       2. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said compression is comprised between 25 and 55 MPa. 
     
     
       3. The support according to  claim 1  wherein the blocking means partially contacts the filiform element and wherein a cross-section area of the filiform element contacted by the blocking means is less than a cross-section area of the filiform element not contacted by said blocking means by an amount less than 8%. 
     
     
       4. The support according to  claim 3  wherein the amount is in the range from 1.5% to 4%. 
     
     
       5. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said anchoring means hold by crimping or solely by elastic force. 
     
     
       6. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said blocking means are present on an ending part of the filiform element and are provided with a bent terminal section. 
     
     
       7. The support according to  claim 6  wherein said bent terminal section covers no more than 60% of the area of said ending part the filiform element. 
     
     
       8. The support according to  claim 1  wherein lateral extensions are provided. 
     
     
       9. The support according to  claim 1  wherein the material of the support is nickel plated iron or steel. 
     
     
       10. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said filiform element is provided with a slit on a lateral surface. 
     
     
       11. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said filiform element contains powders of one or more getter materials. 
     
     
       12. The support according to  claim 1  wherein said filiform element contains powders of one or more compounds for mercury release. 
     
     
       13. The support according to  claim 12  wherein said filiform element also contains powders of one or more getter materials. 
     
     
       14. A lamp comprising the support for filiform elements containing powders of an active material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       15. The lamp according to  claim 14  wherein said lamp is a low pressure mercury lamp. 
     
     
       16. The lamp according to  claim 14  wherein said active material comprises powders of one or more compounds for mercury release. 
     
     
       17. The lamp according to  claim 16  wherein said active material comprises powders of one or more getter materials. 
     
     
       18. The lamp according to  claim 14  wherein said lamp comprises a burner. 
     
     
       19. The lamp according to  claim 18  wherein said active material comprise powders of one or more getter materials. 
     
     
       20. The support according to  claim 1  wherein the anchor means are connected with said blocking means both in an operative and in a non-operative condition of the support. 
     
     
       21. The support according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lateral metal extension located on a lower portion of the support. 
     
     
       22. The support according to  claim 1 , further comprising a perforated lateral extension located on a lower portion of the support. 
     
     
       23. The support according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring means is configured as a perforated lateral extension.